What else is going on in the world of travel tech? A round-up of other stories from across the industry...
- PrivateFly, the personal jet booking site, launched in France, Germany and other countries in central Europe this week. The move follows the re-launch of its platform in the UK in April this year, including unveiling an iPad to sit alongside its existing mobile applications. The company says it was the fastest growing private jet booking service in 2011 and has now secured partnerships with the likes of Lastminute.com.
- Surfing in the sky will be available to Air France and KLM passengers via a partnership with Panasonic Avionics. Trials on long-haul flights begin early next year with passengers gaining internet access via a specially developed in-flight website with destination information, online magazine and TV channels.
- Trazzler is making its editorial content available for free to VisitCalifornia. The move is part of Trazzler's Open Places project in which it offers its content for free to "nonprofits, public radio stations, parks, schools, tourism bureaus, publications and other approved organizations," the company states. The idea is for Trazzler to improve relationships with destination management organizations and to increase distribution for Trazzler's writer and photographer contributors.
- Portuguese carrier TAP launches apps for phones and tablets this week. The apps (both iOS and Android) allow users to book a flight, obtain information about timetables and see live departure/arrival times of services. City guides are also included for each destination the carrier serves. The booking engine elements of the apps were developed by Anixe.
- Worldhotels has released an enhanced version of its Resmaster hotel booking engine to help members with channel management. The upgraded technology gives hotels increased upselling capabilities as well as functionality including filters for tailored results, a price slider, multi-room booking options and enhanced Google Maps.